Baseball Roundtable

Time for another edition of Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances or statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention.  At times (for longer posts), I will redirect you to the Baseball Roundtable blog.

Now, much has been written about last Friday’s (October 18) Mets 12-6 National League Championship Series (NLCS) win over the Dodgers (in New York), with a lot of emphasis on the fact that not a single Mets’ batter struck out (in 44 plate appearances).  Overall, 14 Mets batters reached two strikes in their plate appearances, with four putting an 0-2 pitch in play and three putting a 1-2 pitch in play.  Note:  The attention does seem justified.  In the entire 2024 regular season, there was only one game in which a team did not suffer a single strikeout. That was the April 29 Dodgers versus Diamondbacks game – won by the Dodgers 8-4 and in which the Dodgers went strikeout-free.

The Mets 12 runs scored are the most in a post-season game by a team that didn’t strike out a single time. The fewest runs scored by a team that didn’t fan at least once in a postseason game is one – by the Yankees in Game One of the 1940 World Series – a game they won 1-0, as Vic Raschi outdueled Jim Konstanty.

 

As you have probably surmised, for this Edition of Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday, I have chosen to focus on post-season, no-strikeout contests. Turns out, there have been 11 no-strikeout games in the Modern Era post-season: Nine in the World Series and two in the National League Championship Series. The teams whose batters managed to avoid striking out won seven of those contests.  One of those contests really grabbed my attention.

Game Seven of the 1960 World Series (October 13, 1960) – one of the most iconic post-season games of all time (remembered historically for Bill Mazeroski’s walk-off homer in a a10-9 Pirates win) – is the only post-season contest in which neither team struck out even a single time. That game featured 24 hits, 19 runs, five homers, five walks, 77 plate appearances and zero strikeouts. Further:

• 28 batters reached two strikes before putting the ball in play, 12 of those on an 0-2, or 1-2 count;
• 10 batters hit the first pitch of their at bats, and another 23 put the ball in play on the second pitch of their at bats;
• The average plate appearance in the game lasted 3.3 pitches.

Notably, the Pirates had also “enjoyed” a strikeout-free game versus the Yankees in Game Two.   Enjoyed is probably not a good word.  Despite not striking out a single time, in that game, the Pirates fell 16-3 to the Yankees.  The Bronx Bombers fanned 11 times, but also put up 19 hits including three doubles, a triple and two home runs (both by Mickey Mantle). The only other team to have two strikeout-free games on offense in a single post-season series was the 1918 Cubs (versus the Red Sox) – and like the Pirates they split those two games winning 3-1 in Game 2 and losing 3-2 in Game Four.

In the 1960 World Series, the Yankees outhit the Pirates .338 to .256; outhomered them 10 to 4;  outslugged them .528 to 355;  and outscored them 55 to 27.  (The Pirates fanned 26 times to the Yankees 40.) The Yankees won games by scores of 16-3, 10-0 and 12-0; the Pirates by scores of 6-4, 3-2, 5-2, 10-9.

Primary Resource:  Stathead.com.

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P1066

Time for another edition of Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances or statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention.  At times (for longer posts), I will redirect you to the full Baseball Roundtable blog.

With the post-season in full swing, I was drawn to a Words Series “coincidence” from Game Seven of the 1964 Fall Classic.  The opponents were two storied franchises – the Yankees and Cardinals. Scrolling through the starting lineups, I found a pair of brothers (one on each team): Clete Boyer (batting eighth for the Yankees) and Ken Boyer (at cleanup for the Cardinals).  Now, for what drew The Roundtable’s attention.

A First and Still Only – One of the Roundtable Unicorns

Clete Boyer (Yankees) and Ken Boyer (Cardinals) both homered in Game Seven of the 1964 World Series.  They are the first, and still only, brothers to go deep in the same World Series game.

The above distinction is a pretty good starter, but there is more:

• Clete and Ken both started at third base for their respective teams;
• They each homered in their final at bat of the game (Ken in the bottom of the seventh inning, Clete in the top of the ninth);
• Both were solo home runs;
• For both, it was their second career World Series home run; and, finally,
• For both, the home run would mark their final career World Series plate appearance – it was a last chance coincidence.

A little more on the Boyers; Ken was the older of the pair (33-years-old to Clete’s 27.).  (Note: A third, older, brother, Cloyd Boyer also made it to the major-leagues, logging five MLB seasons (1949-52, 1955 … Cardinals, Athletics) as a pitcher.

Ken was a the most talented of the Boyers. He was All Star in seven seasons and five-time Gold Glover in his 15-season MLB career (1955-69 … Cardinals, Mets, White Sox, Dodgers). He was the 1964 NL Most Valuable Player, when he hit .295, with 24 home runs and a league-topping 119 RBI.  He hit 20 or more home runs in eight seasons (a high of 32 in 1960). His final stat line was a .287-282-1,141 (2,034 games).   His played his only World Series in 1964 (.222-2-6 in seven games).

Clete played in 16 MLB seasons (1955-57, 1959-71 … Athletics, Yankees, Braves). His final stat line was .242-162-654 (1,725 games) He won a Gold Glove with the Braves in 1969.  Clete played in five World Series (1960-64, all for the Yankees. In WS play, he went .233-2-11 in 27 games.

Cloyd, by the way, went 20-23, 4.73 in is five MLB campaigns.

Now, of course, with The Roundtable “one thing always seems to lead to another.” So, here are the other sets of brothers to both homer in a World Series games (just not in the same game or even same Series.).

Bob and Emil “Irish” Meusel

Bob Meusel, primarily an outfielder, played in six World Series (1921-23, 1926-28) all for the Yankees. He hit .225-1-17 in 34 WS games, his lone home run coming in Game Three of the 1928 World Series. Bob played in 11 MLB seasons (1920-30 … 1920-29 for the Yankees, 1930 for the Reds). He hit .309-156-1,071 in 1,407 games. In 1925, he hit .290 with a league-leading 33 home runs and a league-topping 134 RBI. He dove 100+ runs in five seasons.

Irish Meusel, also primarily an outfielder, played in four World Series (1921-24 … all for the Giants). He hit home runs in the 1921, 1922 and 1923 Fall Classics and finished with a career World Series stat line of .276-3-17 in 23 games. Like his brother, he played in 11 MLB seasons (1914 Nationals, 1918-26 Giants, 1927 Robins). He hit .310-106-819 in 1,289 MLB games – hitting over .300 in eight seasons and driving in 100+ runs in four (leading the league with 125 RBI in 1923).

Yuli Gurriel and Lourdes Gurriel, Jr.

Yuli Gurriel, primarily a first baseman, played in four World Series (2017, 2019, 2021-22 … all for the Astros). He homered in the 2017 World Series (twice) and the 2019 Fall Classic. His World Series stat line reads: .276-3-12 in 26 games. Still active in 2024, Yuli has played in nine MLB seasons (2016-2024 … Astros). His career stat line is .280-98-468 in 927 games. He won the 2021 AL batting title with a.319 average. His best season was 2019, when he  it .298 with a career-high 31 homers and a career-best 104 RBI.

Lourdes Gurriel, Jr., primarily an outfielder, has played in just one World series to date – for the Diamondbacks in 2023. He hit .333-1-5 in five games. Still active in 2024, Lourdes has played in seven MLB seasons (2018-24 … Blue Jays, Diamondbacks). His career line is .279-110-411 in 746 games. He was an All Star in 2023, when he it .261-24-82 for Arizona. He has hit 20 or more home runs in three seasons.

COMING SOON: World Series Targets Revisited.

Primary Resource:  Statehead.com

 

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Time for another edition of Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances or statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention.  This Tuesday, we’ll be looking a a few players who started their MLB careers by lining  a baseball over the fence and into the record books.

Hit ‘Em Where They Ain’t – Except the  Fans, Of Course

Let’s start with Keith McDonald, who had a very short, but pretty sweet and unicorn designation-worthy MLB career.  McDonald’s MLB career stat line would include just eight games, 11 plate appearances (two walks), three hits in nine at bats (.333 average), three home runs, three runs scored and five RBI.

In the process of those eight games, McDonald became the only player with more than one MLB career hit, who can look back on major league career in which his every hit was a home run. He also became one of only two players – and the only National Leaguer – to homer in his first TWO major-league plate appearances.  

The Cardinals selected 21-year-old McDonald (out of Pepperdine University) in the 24th round of the 1994 draft. From 1994 to 1999, McDonald (a catcher, this will be important in a bit) worked his way up from Rookie ball to Triple-A.

He started the 2000 season at Triple-A (Memphis Redbirds). He was hitting .246, with one home run and 17 RBI in early July, when he was called up to replace Cardinals’ injured backup catcher Eli Marrero.

McDonald got his first taste of MLB action on July 4 (in St. Louis), pinch-hitting (for SS Edgar Renteria) in the bottom of the eighth inning – with the Cardinals ahead by a 13-3 score. After hitting just one home run in 177 at bats at Triple-A that season, McDonald sent a 2-2 pitch out of the park to left-center.

McDonald did not play in the Reds/Cardinals July 5 tilt, but On July 6, he started at catcher against the Reds, batting in the number-eight spot.  He got his first at bat in the bottom of the second, with the Cardinals trailing 3-2. He tied the game with a home run on a 1-0 pitch – becoming just the second MLB player ever to homer in their FIRST TWO plate appearances. (The other was St. Louis Browns’ LF Bob Nieman, who homered in his first two at MLB at plate appearances in his debut game – against the Red Sox in Fenway – on September 14, 1951.) By the way, McDonald went one-for-three in the July 6 game, adding a walk and another RBI.

McDonald’s next MLB appearance came on July 8. With the Cardinals hosting the Giants, McDonald replaced Matheny at catcher in the top of the ninth, with the Giants up 7-6. McDonald came to the plate in the bottom of the inning and drew a walk. He didn’t take the field again until July 13, when he again entered the game as a pinch hitter (this time in the top of the ninth with the Cardinals up 13-3 on the White Sox in Chicago).  He grounded out to second.  Two days later (July 15), still in Chicago, McDonald pinch hit again. This time, it came in the top of the ninth of a game in which the Cardinals trailed 15-5. McDonald popped a 3-1 pitch for a two-run home run. At this stage of his MLB career, he was three-for-six – with all three his hits leaving the yard.  McDonald got only one more major-league at bat that season, a ninth-inning, pinch-hit fly out against the Twins on July 15.

Then, as suddenly as it began, it was over. On July 21, McDonald was sent back down to Memphis, where he finished the season .263-5-30 in 83 games.  He appeared in just two more major-league games – in September of 2001 – going hitless in two at bats.   McDonald then spent the next five seasons at AAA; playing in the Cardinals’, Cubs’, Pirates’, Rangers’ and Yankees’ systems.  So, his final MLB stat line was .333-3-5 in eight games. His .333 average was result of three hits in nine careers at bats – again, all home runs.  For more on Keith McDonald, click here.

It’s Miller time

Little did Yankee rookie leftfielder John Miller know (when he made his debut on September 11, 1966) that his entire MLB career would include as many at bats as Yankee Roger Maris had home runs in 1961.  He also probably didn’t know he would bat his way into Yankee history in a way that could never be erased – becoming the first Yankee to homer in his first MLB at bat – as well as one of just two MLB players to homer in their first and last MLB at bats.

Miller made his MLB debut on September 11, 1966 – his fifth professional season – playing LF and batting seventh against Lee Stange and the Red Sox in Fenway.  Miller had gone  .294-16-59 at Double-A/Triple-A that season. In his first MLB at bat, in the bottom of the second inning, with a runner on first and two out, he hit a two-run home run to left.

That made Miller the first Yankee in history to go deep in his first MLB at bat.  He would hold the distinction of being the only Bronx Bomber to go deep in his first MLB at bat for four decades – 36 seasons, actually. (Marcus Thames would be next on June 10, 2002).

It would be a while before Miller went deep again – but it would be another historic long ball. Miller, in fact, would not get another home run or RBI until September 23, 1969 – in the final at bat of his MLB career.

In 1966, Miller would play in six games for the Yankees, going 2-for-23 with nine strikeouts (and, of course, that one home run and two RBI).   The following April, Miller was traded to the Dodgers. He spent 1967 and 1968 at Triple-A Spokane – putting up respectable numbers.  In 1969, he made it back to the big leagues, getting in 26 games (just 38 at bats) for the Dodgers. In the first 37 of those at bats, Miller collected seven hits (one double and six singles), scored twice, but did not collect an RBI.   Miller’s last at bat of the season (and what turn out to be the last at bat of his MLB career) came as a pinch hitter (September 23) in the eighth inning of a game at Cincinnati.  The Dodgers, trailing 6-2 sent Miller to the plate for pitcher Al McBean.  In that final MLB at bat, Miller stroked a solo home run off Reds’ starting pitcher Jim Merritt.

Just Aside

In the spirit of  “with Baseball Roundtable one thing always seems to lead to another,”  Al (Alvin O’Neal)  McBean (see paragraph immediately above)  was the winning pitcher in MLB’s only All-Hispanic All Star Game (played on October 12, 1963.  For more on that historic game, click here. 

That second homer made Miler one of two players in MLB history to homer in their first and final at bats. The other is Paul Gillespie – whose MLB career spanned three seasons during World War II (1942, 1944, 1945), all with the Cubs. Gillespie, a catcher, appeared in 89 games – hitting .283, with six home runs and 31 RBI; and went zero-for-six in the 1945 World Series.

Miller played in a total of just 32 major-league games, getting 61 at bats and just ten hits (.164 career average), two home runs and three RBI.  With that output, however, Miller earned a special place in the MLB record books

Miller did go on to play three seasons (1970-72) in Japan, hitting .249 with 72 home runs and 222 RBI in 382 games for the Chunichi Dragons.

The Long and Short of It

As noted earlier,  above three were 36 seasons between John Miller becoming the first Yankee to homer in his first at bat and Marcus Thames becoming the second.  That’s the “long” of it.  Now for the “short” of it.

On April 13, 2016, 24-year-old Tyler Austin made his MLB degut at 1B, batting seventh for the Yankees.  In his first MLB at bat (bottom of the second), he popped a 2-2 pitch from the Rays’ Matt Andriese to deep right for a two-run home run. How long did it take for the next Yankees rookie to hit a dinger in his first MLB at bat?  Just one hitter and four pitchers.  Next up was a rookie RF named Aaron Judge, who hit a 1-2 pitch from Andriese to deep center for a home run in his first MLB at bat.  Two rookies hitting first at bat home runs back-to-back – that’s still an MLB first and only.

Primary Resources:  Baseball-Reference.com and Baseball-Almanac.com

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Baseball Roundtable is also on the Anytime Baseball Supply Top 66 Baseball Sites list.  For the full list, click here. 

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary. 

P1064

Time for another edition of Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday (on Thursday this week because of the September Wrap Up post on Tuesday).  I hope you are enjoying weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances or statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. This week – since it’s October 3 – we’ll look at the events of October 3, 1947.

Note: For the September wrap, click here.

Now, today’s Tidbit.

When Floyd Clifford (Bill) Bevens took the mound for the Yankees in Game Four of the 1948 World Series (October 3), it was not a World Series matchup for the ages.   Bevens was coming off a 7-13, 3.82 season for the Bronx Bombers, while his mound opponent was a rookie (Harry Taylor who had gone 10-5, 3.11). Both, however, would find their way into the record books – if in a negative fashion.

Let’s start with Taylor, since the 28-year-old righty wrote his name into MLB annals the fastest – in the top of the first inning.  Yankee 2B Stuffy Stirnweiss greeted Taylor abruptly, lacing his first pitch to left for a single.   RF Tommy Heinrich followed with a groundball single up the middle, sending Stirnweiss to second. C Yogi Berra reached on a fielder’s choice (with all runners safe due to an error by Dodgers’ SS Pee Wee Reese). CF Joe DiMaggio next drew a four-pitch walk, forcing in a run – and Taylor’s day was done. (Hal Gregg replaced him on the mound).  Fortunately for Taylor, Gregg retied 1B George McQuinn on a pop out the infield (runners holding) and then got Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday (rescheduled for Thursday) – Walking Your Way into the Record Books Billy Johnson to hit into a short-to second-to first double play ending the inning.

Taylor’s spot in the record book?  He became one of just four pitchers to start a World Series Game and not record a single out – joining the White Sox’ Reb Russell (Game Five, 1917); Cubs’ Charlie Root (Game Two, 1935); and Cubs’ Hank Borowy (Game Seven, 1945). The Dodgers’ Bob Welch (Game Four, 1981 World Series) has since “earned” a share of this record.

Taylor, by the way, pitched in six MLB seasons (1946-48, 1950-52 … Dodgers, Red Sox), going 19021, 4.10. 1947 was his best season.

Ouch!

For those who like to know such things, the Cubs’ Charlie Root holds the record for the most runs given up as a World Series starter without recording a single out. Notably, his outing also took place on October 3 (1935). In the bottom of the first inning of Game Two against the Tigers, Root gave up a single to CF Jo-Jo White; an RBI double to C Mickey Cochrane; an RBI single to 2B Charlie Gehringer; and a two-run home to 1B Hank Greenberg. Four hits, four runs on 18 pitches without recording an out. (Of course, three of the four batters he faced ended up in the Hall of Fame.)

Now let’s move on to Bevens’ record-setting and record-tying World Series’ performance of October 3, 1947. At the time, the record for walks surrendered by a pitcher in a World Series game was nine: Athletics’ Jack Coombs versus the Cubs in Game Two of the 1910 Series.  Coombs went the distance (eight hits, nine walks in a 9-3 win).

The record for the fewest hits given up by a starting pitcher in a complete game in a World Series was one: Cubs’ Ed Reulbach (Game Two, 1910, in a 7-1 win over the White Sox) and Cubs’ Claude Passeau (Game Three, 1945 in a 3-0 win over the Tigers).

On October 3, 1947, Bevens would set a new (still standing) mark for walks surrendered in a World Series game and also tie the record (which stood until Don Larsen’s 1956 perfect game) for fewest hits allowed in a World Series complete game.

In a sign of things to come, Bevens walked Dodgers’ 2B Eddie Stanky to open the game and, two outs later issued a free pass to RF Dixie Walker.  Bevens then walked one in the second inning; one in the third; two in the fifth; one in the sixth; one in the seventh. As they entered the bottom of the ninth, Bevens had issues free passes, but had given up just one run and had not yet surrendered a hit.

The ninth stared out just fine, as C Bruce Edwards lined out to left on a 2-0 pitch. Then, Bevens tied the World Series record, issuing his ninth walk, on a 3-1 pitch to CF Carl Furillo.  Bevens then retired 3B Spider Jorgenson on a foul pop out to first. Now, he was one out away from victory and one out away from MLB’s first World Series no-hitter. It was, however, not to be.  The managerial machines starting whirring as Dodger skipper Burt Shotton used a pair of pinch hitters and a pair of pinch runners to close out the frame.

Al Gionfriddo came in to run for Furillo and an injured and gimpy Pete Reiser pinch hit for Dodgers’ pitcher Hugh Casey.  Gionfriddo stole second on a 2-1 pitch to Reiser and, when Bevens went to 3-I on the always dangerous Reiser, Yankee manager Bucky Harris called for an intentional walk (giving Bevens sole possession of the World Series Walk record, which he still has). Eddie Miksis then was put in to pinch run for Reiser and Cookie Lavagetto pinch hit for Stanky. Lavagetto hit Bevens’ second offering for a two-run double – ending the no-hitter, winning the game and tagging Bevens with the loss.

Sidenote: Bevens’ ten-walk performance spared Dodger Rex Barney a spot in the record books.  The very next day, Barney started against the Yankees and walked nine batters in just 4 2/3 innings, in a Brooklyn 2-1 loss.

Bevens pitched in four MLB seasons (1944-48), all for the Yankees. He went 40-36, 3.08.

Primary Resource: Baseball-Reference.com

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Baseball Roundtable is also on the Anytime Baseball Supply Top 66 Baseball Sites list.  For the full list, click here. 

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It’s October 1, and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable September Wrap up – a look at the stats and stories that caught The Roundtable’s attention in September, as well as the Player and Pitcher of the Month, Trot Index and more.  Just a few of this month’s highlights that you will find in this post:

• a “called shot” Grand Slam;
• a combined no-hitter and a pair of no-no’s lost in the ninth;
• 15 doses of leadoff mayhem;
• the new 50-50 Club;
• 20-20 before 21;
• an immaculate inning;
• a game-ending triple killing;
• a new standard for defining a “utility” player;
• and much more.

Read on for the stories and stats.

SIDE NOTE: Due to the need to get this out today, Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday is moved to Thursday this week.  So, let’s get on with it.

Baseball Roundtable Players and Pitchers of the Month – September 2024

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Player of the Month – Shohei Ohtani, DH, Dodgers

Okay, how can you not go with the player (even if he does not play in the field) who led the major leagues (looking at players with at least 50 at September at bats for percentage figures) in:

• Home runs – 10 (tied):
• Average – .393;
• RBI – 32;
• Runs scored (27);
• Hits (42);
• Stolen bases (16 – and without one caught stealing);
• Total bases (79); and
• Slugging percentage – .786.

In addition, Ohtani became MLB’s first 50-50 player (homers/stolen bases). His September also included a six-for-six game; a three-homer game; and a ten-RBI game – all in the same contest (September 19). And, he had thirteen multi-hit games in 26 games played.  This was a no-brainer.  (Lots more on Ohtani in the highlights sections).

Honorable Mentions:  Another DH here – the Phillies’ unconventional leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber went .293-10-22, tying Ohtani for the MLB lead in September roundtrippers and finishing tied for second in September RBI.  Four of Schwarber’s ten September homers were leadoff home runs and he ended the season with single-season record of 15 leadoff dingers. (Schwarber is a career .230hitter, so that .293 September average was a nice bonus.) Now, I better get someone who plays in the field in here.  So, let’s give a nod to Diamondbacks’ 3B Eugenio Suarez, with a .347-9-18 September line, with 24 runs scored – third in the NL in homers, ninth in RBI; second in hits (35); second in runs scored.

Pitcher of the Month – Nick Martinez, RHP, Reds

This was a very close call between Nick Martinez and the Cub’s Shota Imanaga – a pair of 30-somethings who pitched to weak contact.  Martinez got the edge based on innings pitched and earned run average.  Martinez went 4-1 for the month (five starts) with a 0.83 earned run average, third in the NL among pitchers with at least 20 September innings.  His four wins tied for the NL lead and he should have had a fifth victory – his one loss for the month came in his final start (September 27), when he gave up just one run over eight innings in a complete-game loss to the Cubs.

Martinez’ s 32 2/3 innings were fifth-most in the NL and, and his 0.67 WHIP was second-lowest (among pitchers with at least 20 September innings). His .161 average against was third. He also fanned 30 batters, while walking just four. In his five September starts Martinez gave up just three earned runs, Martinez finished the season at 10-7, 3.10 in 42 games (16 starts).

Honorable Mentions: The Cubs Shota Imanaga went 4-0, 1.67 in four September starts, fanning 26 in 27 innings and walking just five.  He put up a stellar 0.85 WHIP and .184 average against. I also have to give a shout out to the Mets’ Jose Quintana (3-1, 0.72 in four starts, with a 0.84 WHIP and .176 average against); the Pirates’ Paul Skenes (3-1, 0.75 in five starts – with 34 strikeouts and just six walks in 24 innings.  (There were a lot of solid pitchers’ performances during the month like  Jameson Taillon, Cubs, 3-0, 0.84; Blake Snell 3-0, 1.00 with 31 strikeouts in 18 innings; and I could go on.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Player of the Month – Julio Rodriguez, CF, Mariners

Mariners’ 23-year-old CF Julio Rodriguez had a great month, hitting .328 7-22, with six steals. He led the AL in September base hits (39) and placed second (tied) in the AL in homers; first in RBI and second (24) in runs scored.  Rodriguez collected at least one hit in 21 of 26 games played and had nine September multi-hit games. In the course of the month, he raised his 2024 average from .259 to .273.

Honorable Mentions: Rangers’ 22-year-old rookie LF Wyatt Langford led the AL in September home runs with eight – to along with a .300 average, a league-topping 25 September runs and 20 RBI (fifth- tied – in the AL). We’ll also give a nod to the A’s LF Brent Rooker, who put together a .320-6-21 September.  His 33 hits were third in the AL and his 21 RBI tied for second.

Pitcher of the Month – Ronel Blanco, RHP, Astros

Ronel Blanco went 4-0, 0.75 (five appearances/four starts) in September – tying for the AL lead in wins.  His 0.75 ERA was the lowest among AL pitcher with at least 20 September innings. Not only did he win each of his four starts, in his one relief appearance, he fanned five batters (one hit-one walk) in two innings.

Honorable Mentions: I’ve got to put the Royals’ lefty reliever Daniel Lynch in here. He went 2-0 in nine relief appearances and, in 17 1/3 innings, gave up just eight hits and zero earned runs (yep, 0.00 ERA), while walking five and fanning 22. (All this as the Royals were fighting for a playoff spot.)  Let’s also recognize a pitcher used in a non-traditional role.  Tigers’ rookie Brian Hurter pitched well under the pressure of the playoff run – serving normally as the second pitcher in those committee games, where the Tigers used an “opener.”  Hurter went 4-0, 1.59 in five appearances.  In those games, he came in in the second inning twice and the first, third and fourth innings once each.  Also, these were not instances where he had the advantage of coming in with a big lead to pick up a cheap win.  Three times, the game was tied, twice the Tigers were ahead by one.  He pitched a total of 22 2/3 innings (just over four innings per appearance), giving up four runs, walking just three and fanning 17.

SURPRISE PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Victor Robles, CF, Mariners

Victor Robles came into the 2024 with a .238 average over seven MLB seasons (516 games). He started the year with the Nationals and was hitting .120 (14 games) when he was released June 1.  The Mariners signed him on June 4. Then the fun began. Robles hit .316 in 15 games for Seattle in June and .375 in 18 July contests.  He slid to .244 in 22 August games, but came back with surprising .389 (28-for-72) in 22 September games. Although he didn’t show much power (ten doubles, no homers). He scored 21 runs, drove in 11 and stole 13 bases in 14 attempts.  A pleasant surprise for Seattle.

Honorable Mention: Rhett Lowder, RHP, Reds

Rhett Lowder made MLB debut for the Reds in the second game of a doubleheader against the Brewers on August 30.  It was a hard luck day for the 22-year-old rookie, who started the game and gave up just one run in four innings. He was relieved in the fifth down 1-0 – and took the loss in a game the Reds eventually dropped to the Brew Crew by a 14-0 score.

September went better for the rookie – a 2-1 record and a 1.01 earned run average in five starts.    Not a total surprise, Lowder was a first-round pick out of Wake Forest University in the 2023 MLB draft. He was 30-5, 3.29 in three seasons at Wake. Still, it is surprising that he rose so quickly to the majors – moving through High-A, Double-A and Triple-A (a combined 6-4, 3.64) before his callup. (A little extra note: In 2023 at Wake Forest, Lowder went 15-0, 1.87 in 22 starts, fanning 113 in 108 2/3 innings.)  So, he was “on the radar,” but the Roundtable was surprised to see him make his MLB mark so quickly.

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THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE

In 2024,  34.9% of the MLB season’s 182449  plate appearances ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). We’re talking about strikeouts, home runs, walks, hit by pitch and catcher’s interference – all outcomes that are, basically, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field. Here’s the breakout: strikeouts (22.6%); walks (8.2%); home runs (3.0%); HBP (1.1%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Strikeouts, by the way, outnumbered base hits 41,197 to 39,823. 

The 34.9% figure is down slightly from  from 35.7% for 2023. I also looked into full-year Trot Index figures for the years I have been a fan: 30.3% in 2010; 29.9% in 2000; 31.7% in 1990; 23.1% in 1980; 27.0% in 1970; 25.1% in 1960; and 22.8% in 1950.

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A Tiger by the Tail

The surprise team of September was the Tigers, who put up September’s highest winning percentage at .680 (17-8) to leapfrog their way into a post-season berth.  They got some excellent mound work from Tarik Skubal, who went 2-0, 1.52 in four starts and closer Jason Foley, who saved nine games in ten opportunities.  In fact, the Tigers did an excellent job of managing their pitching staff. Brant Hurter, whose primary role was to follow the “opener” in ” committee” games, went 4-0 1.59 in five games (22 2/3 innings).  Sean Guenther got in 11 games (14 1/3 innings) and put up a 0.63 earned run average.  This stat may tell the story.  The Tigers had six pitchers who threw 13 or more September innings and put up ERAs under 1.60.  You want some names? In addition to those already mentioned:  Beau Brieske (12 games, 17 innings, 1.06 ERA); Tyler Holton (12 games, 17 innings, 1.06 ERA); Will Vest (11 games, 13 innings, 1.38 ERA) The Bengals’ offense was led by the garden crew: LF Riley Greene (.278-5-18);  CF Kerry Carpenter (.277-4-12); and RF Parker Meadows (.273-4-15). Overall, the Tigers’ held opponents to the third-fewest September runs in the AL, while scoring the sixth-most.

Three From The Central

The Guardians, Tigers and Royals (all in the 2024 post-season mix) all spent the 2023 post-season watching from home. In fact, they were all under.500 – a combined record of 210-276 and a combined 51 games behind the league-leading Twins. What a difference a year makes. 

A Stable of Stable Starters

The Padres at 16-8 (.667) had the best September winning percentage in the NL – and it started with the starters.  The rotation of Michael King, Joe Musgrove, Dylan Cease, Martin Perez and Yu Darvish started 23 of the Padres’ 24 games (each starting either four or five contests) – and put up a combined 10-4, 2.40 record.  And, the pitching was needed.  The Padres scored the  fourth-fewest September runs in the NL. Manny Machado (3B) was the leader on offense (.280-6-22) and 1B Luis Arreaz was a solid table-setter (.340 with 13 runs scored). The team also got nice contributions from RF Fernando Tatis, Jr. (.267-7-13) and CF Jackson Merrill (.309-4-13).

——-Team Statistical Leaders for September 2024 ———-

RUNS SCORED

National League – Dodgers (162); Diamondbacks (147); Phillies (128)

American League – Mariners (134); Yankees (126); Rangers (121)

The fewest runs in September were scored by the Royals (74). In the National League, it was the Nationals at 86.  

AVERAGE

National League – Dodgers (.279); Diamondbacks (.273); Marlins (.263)

American League – Astros (.268); Mariners (.264); Orioles (.246)

The lowest team average for September belonged to the Royals at .203. The lowest in the NL was the Pirates (.219).  

HOME RUNS

National League – Dodgers (46); Diamondbacks (41); Phillies (35); Giants (35)

American League – Mariners (33); Rangers (33); Guardians (31)

The Royals and Reds had the fewest September homers at 15.  The only other team under 20 was the Blue Jays at 16.

TOTAL BASES

National League – Dodgers (437); Diamondbacks (421); Phillies (388)

American League – Mariners (386); Astros (368); Rangers (349)

STOLEN BASES

National League – Brewers (43); Nationals (36); Dodgers (34)

American League – Mariners (29); Yankees (28); Rays (25)

The Twins stole the fewest sacks in September at three (in just four attempts).

WALKS DRAWN

National League –   Dodgers (104); Diamondbacks (99); Cubs (89); Braves (89)

American League – Yankees (116); Mariners (99); Tigers (92)

The Dodgers led MLB in September On-Base Percentage at .358. The Mariners led the AL at .347.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Rockies (280); Marlins (254); Giants (253); Brewers (253)

American League – Angels (259); A’s (258); Red Sox (255)

Padres’ batters fanned the fewest times in September (172). The Astros fanned the fewest times in the AL at 182.

Bonus Stats

• The Tigers have the fewest sacrifice bunts on the season at four, the Diamondbacks the most at 34.
• Eight of the top team batting averages in September belonged to NL teams.
• Mariners’ batters were hit by a pitch an MLB-leading 22 times in September. Padres’ and Brewers’ batters suffered the fewest HBP (3).
• Year-to-date, the Mariners have suffered the most hit batsmen (116), the White Sox the fewest (43). The only other team with more than 100 batters HBP was the Twins (101).
• The Tigers led MLB in September triples with seven. The Yankees were the only team with zero triples in September. The White Sox had the fewest triples this season (nine).

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EARNED RUN AVERAGE

National League – Braves (2.72); Padres (2.83); Mets (3.21)

American League – Guardians (2.19); Rays (2.77); Tigers (2.79)

The Diamondbacks had the highest September ERA at 5.34 – also north of 5.00 were the Rockies (5.18).

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Diamondbacks (269); Braves (269); Brewers (264)

American League – Twins (279); Yankees (259); Mariners (245); Rays (245)

The Diamondbacks averaged an MLB-best 10.56 strikeouts per nine innings in September. The Twins averaged an AL-best 10.35.  Fourteen teams average at least nine strikeouts per nine innings for the month.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED

National League – Braves (65); Padres (67); Reds (69)

American League – Tigers (56); Mariners (59); Guardians (66)

The Tigers walked an MLB-lowest 2.20 batters per nine innings in September.  The White Sox walked an MLB-worst 4.31 batters per nine frames.  

SAVES

National League – Pirates (11); Padres (10); Reds (9); Cardinals (9)

American League – Tigers (13); Rays (9); Guardians (8); Astros (8); Rangers (8); Yankees (8)

The Blue Jays blew the most saves in September – converting just one  of nine opportunities.

Walks+ Hits/Innings Pitched (WHIP)

National League – Padres (1.05); Braves (1.06) ; Mets (1.08)

American League:  Mariners (1.01); Tigers (1.03); Guardians (1.05)

Bonus Stats:

• The Angels gave up an MLB-high 39 home runs in September. The Guardians gave up an MLB-low 15 home runs.
• The Padres held opponents to an MLB-low .203 average in September. The Rockies’ staff was touched for an MLB-high .275 average.
• The Mariners’ strikeouts-to-walks ratio for September topped MLB at 4.15. The Rockies had MLB’s worst ratio at 1.89

—–September 2024 Highlights——

Take that Babe Ruth

Brewers’ 20-year-old rookie outfielder Jackson Chourio apparently knows how to call ‘em. On September 2 – according to Chourio’s teammates – in middle of the sixth inning, with the Brews up 5-3 over the Cardinals, Chourio told a handful of teammates that he was going to get an at bat with the bases loaded and was going to hit a Grand Slam.”  In the bottom of the sixth, Chourio did indeed come up with the sacks full and hit a 1-1 pitch from Riley O’Brien to deep LF for a Grand Slam. Chourio finished September  at .263-4-16. for the month and .275-21-79 for the season.  The Grand Slam, by the way, was Chourio’s second of the season, making him one of just eight players in the Modern Era with multiple Grand Slams before turning 21.  (Tony Conigliaro and Alex Rodriguez share the record at three.)

 The Three-Point Line

On September 2, Brewers’ SS Willy Adames gave the Brew Crew a jump start, with a three-run, first-inning homer – part of a Milwaukee 9-3 win over the Cardinals (in Sudsville). It was Adames’ 29th long ball of the year and carried some notable significance. It was Adames’ fifth straight game with a home run – matching the Brewers’ franchise record for consecutive games with a homer, as well as matching the MLB record for consecutive games with a homer by a shortstop. In that five-game span, Adames went .318 (7-for-22), with five homers, 11 RBI and seven runs scored.

That September 2 long ball also was Adames’ “lucky” 13^th three-run homer of the season – tying Ken Griffey, Jr., for the most three-run homers in a season. Adames finished at .223-5-17 for September and .251-32-112 for the season.

Happy Birthday to Me

Mets’ southpaw David Peterson turned 29 on September 3 – and also turned in, perhaps, the best performance of his career. Peterson started on the mound against the Red Sox (in New York) that day and gave up just one run (six hits) over six innings, while fanning a career-high eleven batters.  Peterson, in his sixth MLB seasons finished 2024 at 10-3, 2.90 – logging his best season in terms of wins, ERA and innings pitched (121).

Young Gun(nar) Henderson

On September 4, Orioles 23-year-old SS Gunnar Henderson (in just his third MLB season), set a new Orioles-franchise record for homers by a shortstop in a season. In an 8-1 loss to the White Sox in Baltimore, Henderson plated the Birds’ only run with a first inning home run. It was his 35^th dinger of the season, enabling him to pass Cal Ripken, Jr. and Miguel Tejada into sole possession of the Orioles’ record for homers in a season by a SS. Henderson ended the season with a .281-37-92 stat line. (with 21 steals).  Ripken had his 34-homer Orioles’ season at age 30 in his 11^th MLB campaign (1991), while Tejada reached 34 as an Oriole in 2004 (his age-30 and eighth MLB campaign).

Cubs’ Combined No-No

On September 4, Shota Imanaga took the mound for the Cubs at Wrigley Field going for his 12^th win of the season (versus just three losses).  He was superb, going seven hitless, run-less innings (two walks, seven strikeouts.). Then (as we see all too often), he was pulled after seven innings and 95 pitches).  Relievers Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge pitched the final two frames and completed the no-hitter – the first Cubs’ no-hitter at Wrigley since 1972. Side note: I’m not a big fan of pitch counts. I am a big fan of one-pitcher no-hitters. Imanaga finished the season at 15-3, 2.91 in 29 starts.

Going Deep.  Wanna join me?

On September 9, as the Red Sox trounced the Orioles 12-3 in Fenway, Reds Sox’ RF Rob Refsnyder and DH Tyler O’Neill (the number three-and four hitters) hit back-to- back home runs in the third AND eighth innings.  Not a rare feat – it’s been done two dozen times since 1961, but still worth a highlight mention.

Now, This is an MLB Unicorn

On May 2, 2002, Mariners’ 2B Brett Boone and CF Mike Cameron (batting in the three- and four-holes) hit back-to-back homers twice – not just in the same game, but in the same inning.  It was in a ten-run first frame that was part of a Mariners’ 15-4 win over the White Sox in Chicago. Cameron added an exclamation point to the performance, by hitting an MLB record-tying four home runs in the game.

 Let’s Get This Party Started

On September 10, the Phillies unconventional leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber started a Phillies’ 9-4 home victory over the Rays with a bang. He opened the game with a 437-foot leadoff homer on a 1-0 pitch from Rays’ starter Taj Bradley.  It was Schwarber’s 35th homer of the season – and his 14^th leadoff long ball of the campaign.  That gave him sole possession of the MLB record for leadoff homers in a season. He had been tied with Alfonso Soriano (2003 Yankees) at 13. Schwarber added a 15^th leadoff homer in a Phillies 6-3 loss to the Mets on September 21.  He finished the 2024 season at .248-38-104.

No-No.  No, You Don’t!

On September 11, Blue Jays’ right-hander Bowden Francis came into the ninth inning of a start against Mets with a 1-0 lead and a no-hitter intact.  He got Mets’ SS Francisco Lindor down 0-2 before Lindor hit a home run to right to break up the no-no. Chad Green was then called on to relieve Francis. (Note: Green and Mets’ reliever Genesis Cabrera  went on to give up five runs in a 6-2 Blue Jays’ loss).  Less than three weeks earlier (August 24), Francis had taken a no-hitter (and a 3-0 lead) against the Angels into the bottom of the ninth and lost the bid.  Angels’ LF Taylor Ward led off the ninth with a homer to left-center to break up that one.  Green came on to retire the next three batters and save the win for Francis. Trivia(l) Tidbit: Francis is just the fourth MLB pitcher to lose two no-hit bids in the ninth inning in one season – joining Ed Walsh (1906): Dave Stieb (1988); and Nolan Ryan (1989).

It’s Not My Birthday, But Let’s Celebrate

On September 12, Brewers’20-year-old rookie LF Jackson Chourio rapped a two-run homer in the eighth inning of the Brew Crew’s 3-0 win over the Giants in San Francisco.  It was Chourio’s 20^th dinger of the season and, with his 20 stolen bases, made Chourio the first player to reach 20-20 in a season before his 21st birthday. (Side note: Mike Trout is the closest to Chourio, logging his 20th home run of a 20-20 season on his 21^st birthday. (What a difference a day makes. Twenty-four little hours.)

Chourio, by the way, signed as an international free agent (out of Venezuela) with the Brewers on January 15, 2021. In three minor-league seasons, he hit .286-47-191, with 68 steals in 272 games.

Notably, there could be much more ahead for the youngster. Adjusting to the major leagues, Chourio was hitting just .210-5-16 as of June 1.  From June 1 forward, he hit .303-16-63.  As they say in gaming “Level Completed.”

A Nice Round Number

On September 13, the Padres’ Dylan Cease picked up his 13^th win of 2024 – going six scoreless innings in a 5-0 win over the Giants in San Francisco.  The highlight? He fanned ten batters in those six frames and his third strikeout of the game (2B Donavan Walton leading off the bottom of the third) was the 1,000^th strikeout of his MLB career.  It came in Cease’s sixth season, 154^th appearance and 801^st inning pitched.   Cease didn’t stay at 1,000 for long.  After fanning Walton, he whiffed RF Mike Yastrzemski and LF Heliot Ramos for a 1-2-3, three-strikeout frame.

Just Try to Get One By Me

The Marlins’ Luis Arreaz (the 2022 AL batting champ with the Twins and 2023 NL batting champ with the Marlins) struck out in his second plate appearance in a September 16 Padres 3-1 win over the Astros.  Why is that a highlight? Well, it was his first strikeout in September.  In fact, it was his first strikeout since his second at bat on August 10.  In between, put together a string of 141 plate appearances without a strikeout. (That streak included 32 strikeout-free games.)  In between the above noted strikeouts, Arreaz hit at a .387 pace.)

For those who like to know such things, Indians’ 3B Joe Sewell recorded the longest streak of MLB games without a strikeout – 115 in 1929. That season, Sewell fanned just four times in 152 games (672 plate appearances, 578 at bats). In 14 MLB seasons Sewell fanned just 114 times in 1,903 games.  Over his last nine seasons, he fanned just 48 times in 1,268 games.

Three-peat

Padres’ 1B Luis Arreaz hit .340 in September to finish the 2024 season at .314 and capture the National League batting title. So, why is that mentioned here?  It was Arreaz’ third straight batting crown.  He won the AL title with the Twins in 2022 (.316). Traded to the Marlins, he won the NL title in 2023 (.354) – which made him the first person to win consecutive battle titles with one in each league.  Then, traded to the Padres, he won this year’s NL title (.314) making him the first person to win three straight batting titles with three different MLB teams. How do you spell unicorn?

30-30 Vision

On September 17, as the Royals feel to the Tigers 3-1 in ten innings (in KC), Royals’ 24-year-old SS Bobby Witt, Jr. became what The Roundtable likes to call an MLB unicorn. In the bottom of the first inning of that game, Witt drew a seven-pitch walk and then, as 1B Salvador Perez fanned on 2-2 pitch from Casey Mize, Witt swiped second base.  It was Witt’s 30^th stolen base of the season. At the time Witt already had 32 home runs in 2024, making him the first SS in MLB history to record multiple 30-30 seasons.  (In 2023, Witt hit .276-30-96, with 49 steals).  Witt hit .278-3-13, with four steals in September and a league-leading .332, with 32 homers, 109 RBI and 31 steals for the season.

Take That, Bro!  Or, Friday the 13^th Ain’t So bad.

It can’t be easy following an older brother like four-time All Star Ronald Acuna, Jr. to the major leagues. But 22-year-old Luisangel Acuna (Ronald is 26-year-old), who found out he was being called up to the Mets late on the night of Friday September 13, didn’t seem phased.  In his first game, he went two-for-four (two singles). On September 17, Acuna the Younger (at SS for the Mets) collected his first MLB extra base hit (a third inning double), his first MLB RBI (plating Harrison Bader with that double) and his first MLB home run (an eighth-inning solo shot), as the Mets trounced the Nationals 10-1. It was part of a three-for-four, three-run, two-RBI Day. After five games in the Show, the younger Acuna was hitting .467 (seven-for-fifteen, with two home runs and four RBI.  He finished September at .308-3-6 in 14 games.

#InBaseballWeCountEverything

This season Padres’ rookie CF Jackson Merrill, Brewers’ rookie OF Jackson Chourio and Orioles’ rookie 2B Jackson Holliday hit 24, 21 and 5 home runs, respectively. Thanks to Anthony Castrovince (MLB.com) for relaying that there had previously been only one MLB homer by a player with the first name Jackson (Rockies’ rookie C Jackson Williams, 2014).

 More #InBaseballWeCountEverything

This season, the A’s rookie closer (righty) Mason Miller blazed his way to saves with a red-hot fastball. In the ninth inning of a September 17 A’s 4-3 win over the Cubs (in Chicago), Cubbies’ veteran LF and leadoff hitter Ian Happ turned one of Miller’s heaters around – hitting a home run off the video board in left field off a 103.2 mph fastball (on a 1-2 pitch). It was the fastest pitch hit for a home run since the pitch-tracking era began in 2008.  Miller finished 2-2, 2.49 with 28 saves on the season. Happ finished the season at .243-25-86. (The 25 home runs and 86 RBI were career highs for Happ).

An Immaculate Inning Makes for a Good Outing

On September 18, Rays’ 27-year-old righthander Ryan Pepiot threw 2024’s second Immaculate Inning (three up, three down, three strikeouts on nine pitches). It came in the fifth inning of the Rays’ 2-1 loss to the Red Sox (in Tampa). The whiff victims were Red Sox’ C Connor Wong, RF Wilyer Abreu and 1B Tristan Casas (the number-five, six and seven hitters in the lineup). The Rays trailed 1-0 at the time, and they were Pepiot’s eighth, ninth and tenth strikeouts (in five innings). Pepiot got a no-decision in the game, going six innings and giving up one run on two hits, while walking none and fanning 12. Pepiot finished 2024 with an 8-6, 3.64 record and 131 strikeouts in 121 innings.

For those who like to know such things, 2024’s previous Immaculate Inning was twirled by White Sox’ reliever Michael Kopech on July 10, when he came on in the bottom of ninth to save a 3-1 win versus the Twins.  His victims were DH Brooks Lee, RF Matt Wallner and PH Max Kepler.

Shohei Forms an Exclusive Club

On September 18, Shohei Ohtani formed an exclusive MLB Club, becoming the first player with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season.  It came in a 20-4 Dodgers win over the Marlins – in which Ohtani went six-for-six, with three homers, two doubles, a single, two stolen bases, six RBI and four runs scored. For more on Ohtani’s big day, click here.

Travelin’ Man

On September 20, the Twins Willi Castro started at third base as the Twins faced off against the Red Sox in Boston. In the bottom of the 11^th inning of that contest (won by the Twins 4-2 in 12 frames), Castro moved from 2B to 3B (pinch-hitting moves necessitated the change). So, why is that a highlight?  Well, it was Castro’s 25^th appearance of the season at the hot corner – and made him the first MLB player to appear in at least 25 games at five different positions in a single season. As of September 20, Castro’s appearances looked like this: shortstop (56) games); second base (39); left field (29); center field (29); and third base (25). He ended the season with 56 appearances at SS, 40 at 2B, 34 in LF, 30 in RF, 27 at 3B and two at pitcher.  He appeared at multiple positions in the field in  28 games.

Thou Shalt Steal

On September 20, as the Reds toppled the Pirates 8-3 in Cincinnati, Reds’ 22-year-old SS Elly De La Cruz swiped his 65^th base of 2024 (in 81 attempts). It was also his 100^th steal in two MLB seasons – and gave him 100 swipes in 153 MLB games.  With this came some bragging rights:

• De La Cruz became third MLB player in the Modern Era (post-1900) to steal at least 100 bases in their first two MLB seasons (joining Vince Coleman and Ricky Henderson).
• De La Cruz also reached the combination of at least 100 steals and at least 100 extra base hits in fewer games (251) than any other Modern Era player (48 doubles, 15 triples and 23 home runs).

De La Cruz finished the season at .259-25-76, with 67 steals and 105 runs scored (and 218 strikeouts).

It’s Sho(hei) Time Again

On September 20^th, as the Dodgers topped the Rockies 6-4 in LA, DH Shohei Ohtani notched his 52^nd home run and 52nd stolen base of the season.  Of course, he had already established himself as the first member of the 50/50 club. This performance, however, game him the MLB record for the most times hitting a home run and stealing a base in the same game.  It was Ohtani’s 14^th such contest of the 2024 season, breaking Ricky Henderson’s record (13 – set with the Yankees in 1986). By season’s end, Ohtani had extended the record to 16 games.,

Baseball Fans Do Like Round Numbers

On September 25, Rangers’ 2B and leadoff hitter Marcus Semien started the game off with a ground ball single to center off A’s starter Brady Basso.  It was the 1,500^th hit of Semien’s MLB career and came in his 12th season and 1,498^th career game.

Opening Up a Savings Account

On September 25, Cardinals’ closer Ryan Helsley came on in the bottom of the ninth inning, with the Redbirds up 5-2 (over the Rockies), a runner on first and one out. On his very first pitch, Helsley got Rockies’ RF Sam Hilliard to ground into a pitcher-to shortstop-to first double play. Helsley not only got an assist on the play, the one pitch save was his 48^th save on the season – tying him with Trevor Rosenthal for the most saves in a season by a Redbird. (2015).  Helsley picked up  one more save over the remainder of the season – to finish  7-4, 2.04, with 49 saves for the campaign (and sole possession of the Cardinals’ single-season save rec0rd).

Double Your Pleasure, Triple Your Outs

On September 25, it looked like the Dodgers were about to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.  They came into the bottom of the ninth down 4-1 to the rival Padres. Then, C Will Smith opened the final frame with a groundball single off Padres’ closer Robert Suarez. CF Tommy Edman followed with another groundball single, sending Smith to third base. 2B Enrique Hernandez then drove in Smith with a hard line drive single to center, with Edman stopping at second.

So, no outs, two on, one run in, LA SS Miguel Rojas at bat, the always dangerous DH Shohei Ohtani on deck and the crowd noisily anticipating a come-from-behind win.   Suarez, however, induced Rojas (on an 0-1 pitch) to ground to third baseman Manny Machado, who started a game-saving and game-ending third to second (Jake Cronenworth) to first (Donovan Solano) triple play.   (Just the second triple-killing of the season.)

Save the Last Dance for Me

On September 26, A’s 25-yer-old rookie righty T.J. Ginn made his eighth major-league appearance (sixth start). Going into the game, played in Oakland, Ginn was 0-1, 4.40. His mound opponent was the Rangers’ rookie righthander Kumar Rocker, in just his third MLB start, sporting an 0-1, 2.57 record.  Despite this somewhat less than compelling matchup, a crowd of 46,889 fans showed up at the Oakland Coliseum.  Why? It was the last game final game scheduled at the Coliseum for the departing Oakland A’s. The A’s will play their 2025-27 seasons in Sacramento, before a move to Las Vegas (anticipated for 2028).

Ginn pitched 5 1/3 innings in the A’ 3-2 win – giving up two runs on five hits, with two walks and two strikeouts. Thus, he is now the answer to the trivia question, “What rookie pitcher’s first MLB win was also the last A’s victory at the Oakland Coliseum?” Rocker, by the way, took the loss, giving up three tallies in 4 2/3 innings.  The A’s flame-throwing Mason Miller (another rookie) got the save with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless/hitless relief. There were no homers in the game. So, the final home run hit in the Coliseum belongs to Rangers’ Adolis Garcia, a two-run shot in the second inning (off Brady Basso) of the Rangers’ September 25 5-1 win.

The final A’s home run at the Coliseum came on September 6, 2024 –a two-run shot off the bat of  pinch hitter Seth Brown (part of an A ‘s 7-6, 13-inning win over the Tigers. In their final eight games in the Coliseum, the A’s gave up 11 home runs and hit zero.

For those who like to know such things, the A’s first home game in Oakland was played on April 17, 1968 (attendance: 50,164) – and the winning pitcher was the Orioles’ Dave McNally, who threw a complete-game, two-hitter in a 4-1 Baltimore win.  The first homer in that game came off the bat of the Orioles’ 1B Boog Powell (second inning).  The first A’s homer was launched in the sixth frame by CF Rick Monday. The following day, the A’s won their first home game at the Coliseum – a 4-3, 13-inning win over the O’s. The winning pitcher was Paul Lindblad, who pitched the final two frames.  A’s 2B John Donaldson drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly, off losing pitcher Gene Brabender.

More Ohtani News

On September 26, Shohei Ohtani had another typical Shohei “day at the park.”  He went three-for-five with a double, two singles, a run scored and an RBI as the Dodgers topped the Padres 7-2 in LA. He also reached another single-season milestone, becoming just the 19^th MLB player to reach 400 total bases in a single season.   Ohtani ended the season with 411 total bases, the 16th-highest total in an MLB season. Number one on the list is Babe Ruth at 457 in 1921.

The Lost Boys

On September 27, the White Sox lost to the Tigers 4-1 in Detroit.  The loss ran their record t0 39-121 (53 games out of first place), giving the ChiSox the record for the most losses in a season in the Modern (post-1900) Era.  The previous Modern Era record was 120 losses, by the 1962 Mets.  (Side note:  The all-time record belongs to the 1899 Cleveland Spiders of the National League, who went 20-134 and finished 84 games out of first place.)

The White Sox do deserve some kudos for putting off the inevitable.  The team reached 120 losses on September 22 – and then ran off three wins in a row (against the Angels) before setting the new record.

The White Sox finished the season at 41-121. By way of explanation.  The were last among all MLB teams in batting average (.221); home runs (133); and runs scored (507). They surrendered the third-most runs (813): had the third-highest team Earned Run Average (4.68); and gave up the fourth-most home runs (201).

Pass that Sombrero

On September 28, Aaron Judge took CF (batting third) in a Yankees home game against the Pirates. It was not the day he was looking for.

• In the first inning, he struck out on a 1-2 pitch from Pirates’ phenom Paul Skenes;
• In the fourth, he fanned on a 2-2 pitch from Mike Burrows;
• In the sixth, he went down swinging on a 3-2 pitch from David Bednar;
• In the eighth he looked at a third strike (on a 1-2 pitch) from Dennis Santana; and
• In the ninth, fanned on a 3-2 pitch from Aroldis Chapman.

It was the third five-strikeout game in Judge’s career, tying him with Javier Baez for the most nine-inning five-strikeout games. Despite the off day, it was still one heck of a season for the Yankee bomber –  .322-58-144.

So Close and Yet So Far

Guardian’ third basemen Jose Ramirez suited up for Cleveland’s final game (September 29) of the regular season hitting .279, with 39 home runs, 188 RBI, 114 runs scored and 41 steals.  Look closely hitting at the number and you’ll see he had a chance to join the prestigious 40-40 (homers/steals) club.  He needed just one dinger in that final game to become just the seventh plyer to notch at least 40 dingers and forty swipes in a season.,  By the way, he also had 39 doubles, which gave him a chance to join the 40-40-40 club, the only member of which is Alfonso Soriano (2006).  Alas, it was not meant to be.  The game was cancelled due to weather and field conditions.

–INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS FOR SEPTEMBER —

BATTING AVERAGE (at least 50 September at bats)

American League: Victor Robles, Mariners (.389); Lenyn Sosa, White Sox (.373); Kyle Tucker, Astros (.365)

National League: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (.393); Jose Iglesias, Mets (.371); Brendan Donovan, Cardinals (.360)

The lowest September average among players with at least 50 at bats in the month belonged to the White Sox’ Miguel Vargas at .102 (6-for-59.)

HITS

American League: Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (39); Gleyber Torres, Yankees (34); Brent Rooker, A’s (33)

National League: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (42); Michael Harris, Braves (36); Jose Iglesias, Mets (36)

The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani led all MLBers in September extra-base hits with 19 – eight doubles, one triple and ten home runs.  

HOME RUNS

American League: Wyatt Langford, Rangers (8); six with seven

National League:  Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (10); Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (10); Eugenio Suarez, Diamondbacks (9)

The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani led all players with at least 50 September at bats in slugging percentage at .766. The Astros’ Yordan Alvarez led the AL at .615.

RUNS BATTED IN

American League: Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (22); Adolis Garcia, Rangers (21); Aaron Judge, Yankees (21); Brent Rooker, A’s (21)

National League: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (32); Manny Machado, Padres (22); Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (22)

RUNS SCORED

American League:  Wyatt Langford, Rangers (25); Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (24); Victor Robles, Mariners (21)

National League: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (27); Eugenio Suarez, Diamondbacks, (24); Danby Swanson, Cubs (24)

DOUBLES

American League: Victor Robles, Mariners (10); Yainer Diaz, Astros (8); Jose Ramirez, Guardians (8), Connor Wong, Red Sox (80))

National League: Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (10); Bryce Harper, Phillies (9); Jackson Merrill, Padres (9); Jorge Soler, Braves (9)

TRIPLES

American League:  Christopher Morel, Rays (2); Jacob Wilson, A’s (2); many with one

National League: Xavier Edwards, Marlins (3); 12 with two

STOLEN BASES

American League: Victor Robles, Mariners (13), Jazz Chisholm, Jr., Yankees (12); Josh Lowe, Rays (8)

National League: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (16); Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (13); Brice Turang, Brewers (11); Dylan Crews, Nationals (11)

The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani stole the most September bases without getting caught (16).

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

American League:  Luis Robert, Jr., White Sox (38); Taylor Ward, Angels (34); Ben Rice, Yankees (30)

National League: James Wood, Nationals (37); Brandon Nimmo, Mets (34); five with 33

WALKS

American League:  Adolis Garcia, Rangers (35); Zack Gelof, A’s (34); Josh Lowe, Rays (34); Brent Rooker, A’s (34)

National League: Elly De La Cruz, Reds (44); Connor Norby, Marlins (39); Mark Vientos, Mets (38)

PITCHING VICTORIES

American League:   Ronel Blanco, Astros (4-0); Matt Festa, Rangers (4-0): Brent Hurter, Tigers (4-0); Geroge Kirby, Mariners (4-1)

National League:  Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks (4-0); Shota Imanaga, Cubs (4-0); Nick Martinez, Reds (4-1)

The Pirates’ Mitch Keller (0-4, 6.66), A’s JP Sears (0-4, 5.28); Royals’ Brady Singer (0-4, 5.67), Red Sox’ Kutter Crawford (1-4, 5.65) and Diamondbacks’ Eduardo Rodriguez (1-4, 5.02) tied for the most September losses.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 20 September innings)

American League: Ronel Blanco, Astros (0.75); Cole Ragans, Royals (1.08); Corbin Burnes, Orioles (1.20)

National League: Jose Quintana, Mets (0.72); Paul Skenes, Pirates (0.75);  Nick Martinez, Reds (0.83)

The highest ERA among pitchers with at least 20 September innings or four September starts was 9.26 by the Astros’ Justin Verlander (2-2, 9.26 in five starts, 23 1/3 innings).

STRIKEOUTS

American League: Logan Gilbert, Mariners (48K / 37IP); Bailey Ober, Twins (44K / 36 2/3IP); Reid Detmers, Angels (39K / 24 1/3IP)

National League: Aaron Nola, Phillies (44K / 33IP); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (41K / 32 1/3IP); Brandon Pfaadt, Diamondbacks (40K / 27 IP)

WALKS + HITS/INNINGS PITCHED (at least 20 September innings)

American League: Shane Baz, Rays (0.69); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (0.72); Bowden Francis, Blue Jays (0.72)

National League: Jakob Junis, Reds (0.57); Nick Martinez, Reds (0.67); MacKenzie Gore, Nationals (0.80)

Among pitches with at least 20 innings, the Nationals’ Mackenzie Gore held batters to the lowest September average at .135.

SAVES

American League:  Jason Foley, Tigers (9); Kirby Yates, Rangers (8); Emmanuel Clase, Guardians (7)

National League:  Aroldis Chapman, Pirates (9); Ryan Helsley, Cardinals (7); Robert Suarez, Padres (7)

Kirby Yates of the Rangers saved the most games without a blown save in September  (eight). 

P:rimary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanazc.com; MLB.com

 

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P1062

Time for another edition of Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances or statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. To see past Trivia(l) Tidbits, type Trivia(l) into the search box on the right hand side of the page.

This week’s Trivia(l) Tidbit was inspired by Shohei Ohtani’s recent (September 19) ten-RBI game – which made him one of just 16 Modern Era (post-1900) players with a double-digit RBI contest, as well as one of just 17 Modern Era players with multiple games of eight or more RBI (why I picked eight as the magic number will become clear later). Note:  All the records in this post refer to the Modern Era.

I’ll Take a Dozen, Please

When you look at the Modern Era MLB-record 12-RBI games, you find just two – and both are Cardinals.

Jim Bottomley, 1B, Cardinals … September 16, 1924 … Cardinals 17-Dodgers 3 (in Brooklyn)

Bottomley, appropriately batting cleanup, enjoyed a six-for-six day, with a double, two home runs, three runs scored and, of course, those 12 RBI.  That season, Bottomley went .316-14-111 – notching the first of six consecutive seasons of 100+ RBI. A Hall of Famer, Bottomley played in 16 MLB seasons (1922-37…  Cardinals, Reds Browns). He led the NL in hits once, doubles twice, triples once, home runs once, RBI twice and total bases twice.  He was the 1928 NL MVP (Cardinals), when he hit .325-31-136, leading the NL in homers, RBI and triples (20).

Mark Whiten, CF, Cardinals … September 7, 1993 …. Cardinal 15-Reds 2 (in Cincinnati)

Whiten, hitting in the six -hole, went four-for-five with an MLB record-tying four home runs in the game. Whiten got off to a good start with a Grand Slam in the first inning.  After popping out in the third, he hit a three-run home run in the sixth, another three-run shot in the seventh and a two-run homer in the ninth. It was one of just two multi-homer games for Whiten in 1993 and one of just five in his career.  That season, Whiten hit .253-25-99. Whiten played in 11 MLB seasons (1990-2000 … Blue Jays, Indians, Cardinals, Red Sox, Phillies, Braves, Mariners, Yankees). His career stat line was .259-105- 423 in 939 games.  His 99 RBI in 1993 were a career high (his only season above 71), as were his 25 home runs. He had just two seasons of 20 or more homers.

Eleven is Heaven

When I moved on to 11-RBI games.  Two more players joined the list.

Phil Weintraub, 1B, Giants … April 30, 1944 … Giants 26-Dodgers 8 (in Brooklyn)

Weintraub, playing 1B and batting fifth, enjoyed a four-for-five day, just missing the cycle, with two doubles, a triple and a home run – to go along with, two walks, 11 RBI and five runs scored.

Phil Weintraub – at 36-years/201-days of age is the oldest player to record at least eight RBI in an MLB game.

That season, Weintraub hit .316-13-77 – notching career highs in  games played (104), home runs, RBI, hits (114) and runs scored (55). Weintraub played in seven MLB seasons (1933-35, 1937-38, 1944-45 … Giants, Reds, Phillies), hitting .295-32-207 in 444 games.

Tony Lazzeri, 2B, Yankees … May 24, 1936 …. Yankees 25-Atheltics 2 (in Philadelphia)

Lazzeri produced an 11-RBI game (four-for-five, with three homers, a triple, a walk and four runs scored batting out of the eight-hole in a Yankee lineup (remember pitchers batted back then) that included Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig and Bill Dickey. That season, Lazzeri hit .287-14-109.

Tony Lazzeri holds the Yankee franchise record for RBI in a game.

Lazzeri was a solid RBI man for some powerful Yankee teams. He played for the Yankees from 1926-1937 and then for the Cubs, Dodgers and Giants in 1938-39. The Hall of Famer’s final stat line was .292-178-1,194. He had seven seasons of 100+ RBI and two of 100+ runs. He was a steady – if not spectacular – source of Yankee power, hitting double figures in home runs in seven seasons (reaching high of 18 in four campaigns). He hit .300 or better five times.

Shaking the Magic Eight Ball

Okay, now we’ll do a little skipping ahead.  When I dropped down to ten-RBI games – another dozen players joined the list – but still no player’s name appears more than once. Dropping to games of nine or more RBI brings us to 43 players – but still no repeats.

Ah, eight (or more)-RBI seems to be the magic number.  Common enough to give us a pretty good list, but rare enough to make looking at players with multiple eight-RBI games both manageable and significant.  There have been 163 player games of eight or more RBI in the Modern Era – and, here we find 17 players with multiple such games including three with three such contests.

A few bonus tidbits:

• 91 of the 163 player games of eight or more RBI were recorded by a visiting player;
• Of the 163 eight-RBI games, the player with the eight runs plated played for the losing squad just five times;
• By position, eight RBI-or more games were accomplished by a player at 1B 34 times; RF 31 times; LF 22 times; 3B 21 times; C 14 times; SS ten times; 2B nine times; DH seven times and pitcher once.

Tony Cloninger of the Braves is the only pitcher to record a game of eight or more RBI, with nine RBI in a July 3, 1966, 17-3 Braves’ win over the Giants.  In that contest, he became the first National Leaguer (any position) to hit two Grand Slams in a game. He also pitched a seven-hit complete game.

Three Is (pretty darn good) Company

Here’s a look at the three Modern-Era players with three games with eight of more RBI.

Lou Gehrig, 1B, Yankees:

• May 22, 1930 – eight RBI in a Yankees’ 20-13 win over the Athletics in Philadelphia;
• July 31, 1930 – eight RBI in a Yankees’ 14-13 win at Boston;
• September 9, 1932 – eight RBI in a Yankees’ 14-13 loss at Detroit.

Lou Gehrig (Yankees); Jason Bay (Pirates); Mike Epstein (Senators); Shohei Ohtani (Angels); and Lee Thomas (Angels) share the MLB Modern Era record for RBI in a loss.

Finding Gehrig on this list is no surprise, the Hall of Famer played in 17 MLB seasons (1923-39), all for the Yankees. His career stat line was .340-493-1,995. He led the AL in RBI five times and had 13 seasons of 100+ runs driven in (seven of 150 or more). A two-time MVP and seven-time All Star, Gehrig also led the AL in runs scored four times; hits once; doubles twice; total bases four times; and batting average once

Jimmie Foxx, 1B, Athletics and Red Sox:

• July 10, 1932 – nine RBI in an 18-inning Athletics’ 18-17 win over the Indians in Cleveland;
• August 14, 1933 – eight RBI in a 11-5 Athletics’ win over the Indians in Cleveland;
• September 7, 1938 – eight RBI in a 11-4, five-inning Red Sox win over the Yankees (in Boston).

Jimmie Foxx holds the record for the shortest (five innings) and longest (18 innings) games in which which a player drove in at least eight runs.

Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx played in 20 MLB seasons (1925-42, 1944-45 … Athletics, Red Sox, Cubs, Phillies). He was a nine-time All Star and three-time MVP.  His career stat line was .325-534-1,922.  Foxx led his league in home runs four times (topping 40 five times); RBI twice (topping 100 13 times); average two times; and total bases three times.

Dave Kingman, RF/LF/DH, Mets, Cubs, A’s:

•  June 4, 1976 – eight RBI for the Mets in an 11-0 win over the Dodgers in Los Angeles;
• May 14, 1978 – eight RBI for the Cubs in a 15-inning 10-0 win over the Dodgers in Los Angeles;
• April 16, 1984 – eight RBI in an A’s 9-6 win over the Mariners in Seattle.

Dave Kingman is the only player to have a game of eight of more RBI for three different teams.

The free-swinging Kingman played in 16 MLB seasons (1971-86 … Giants, Mets, Padres, Angels, Yankees, Cubs, A’s). He hit .236-442-1,210 in 1,941 games. The three-time All Star twice led the league in home runs, seven times hitting 30 or more in a season.

Step Aside, I Got This

On September 2, 1996, Red Sox’ LF Mike Greenwell (batting eighth) set the record for the most runs driven in by a player in a game in which that player drove in all his teams runs. Greenwell drove in nine tallies in the Red Sox’ 9-8, ten-inning win over the Mariners in Seattle.

Here’s a list of the other MLB players with multiple games of eight or more RBI (each has two).

Jason Bay, Pirates – eight RBI in games on September 19, 2003 and July 2, 2004.

Mookie Betts, Red Sox – eight RBI in games on August 14, 2016 and July 2, 2017

Nelson Cruz, Rangers – eight RBI in games on July 22, 2011 and May 25, 2012.

Joe DiMaggio, Yankees – eight RBI in games on August 28, 1939 and August 13, 1940.

Nomar Garciaparra, Red Sox – ten RBI on May 10, 1999 and eight RBI on July 23, 2002.

Yasmani Grandal, White Sox/Dodgers – eight RBI for the Dodgers on May 7, 2015 eight RBI for the White Sox on August 27, 2021.

The youngest player with a game of eight or more RBI in a game is the Giants’ Travis Jackson (19 years-275 days).  The ribbies came in a Giants’ 14-4 win over the Reds (in Cincinnati) on August 4, 1923.  It was Travis’ first full MLB season (he played in three games for the Giants in 1922) and his 60^th MLB game.

Gil Hodges, Dodgers – eight RBI on June 12, 1949 and nine RBI on August 31, 1950.

Jim Northrup, Tigers – eight RBI on June 24, 1968 and eight RBI on July 11, 1973.

Shohei Ohtani, Angels/Dodgers – eight RBI for the Angels on June 21, 22 and ten RBI for the Dodgers on September 19, 2024.

George Selkirk, Athletics – eight RBI on August 10, 1935 and eight RBI August 12, 1938.

Jim Spencer, White Sox – eight RBI on May 14, 1977 and eight RBI on July 2, 1977

Jim Spencer and Lou Gehrig, are the only MLB players with two games of eight or more RBI in one season.

Primary Resource: Baseball-Reference.com

 

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P1061

Two days ago (September 19), Dodgers’ DH Shohei Ohtani established himself as an MLB “unicorn” or perhaps simply as “The GOAT.” In a Dodgers’ 20-4 win over the Marlins, Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to collect 50 or more home runs and 50 or more stolen bases in a single season.  And, he did it in grand fashion. In the game,  he went six-for-six – with three home runs (49, 50, 51 on the season), two doubles, and a single.  He also scored four times, drove in ten runs and stole two bases (50 and 51 on the season).

What kind of day was that?

• His six hits tied for the second-most ever in a nine-inning game;
• His five extra-base hits tied for the most in a game of any length;
• His ten RBI tied for the fifth-most in a nine-inning game; and
• His 17 total bases tie for the 17^th most in a nine-inning game.

OptaSTATS made an even stronger case, noting that since 1920 (when RBI became an official stat), Ohtani is the only player whose career has included all of these: a ten- (or more) RBI game; a six- (or more) hit game; a five- (or more) extra-base hit game; a three- (or more) home run game; and a multiple stolen base game. And, he did it all in one game!

And, let’s not forget, this is a player who, in 2022, went 15-9, 2.33 on the mound and fanned 219 batters in 166 innings. (That season, he went .273-34-95 at the plate, with 11 steals.)

But enough of Ohtani, there will be plenty more to write about him as his career goes on.  Let’s look at the first MLB 40-40, 30-30 and 20-20 seasons.

First 40-40 Season … Joe Cansec0, 1988 A’s.

In 1988, A’s 23-year-old RF Jose Canseco notched MLB’s first 40-40 season – going .307-42-124, with 120 runs and 40 stolen bases. He led the AL in home runs and RBI and earned the AL MVP Award. That season, Canseco set what would prove to be his career highs in runs; hits (187); RBI; steals; walks (78); average (.307); and total bases (347).

Conseco would be the only 40-40 player until 1996, when Barry Bonds joined ”the club.” Alex Rodriguez joined in 1998, Alfonso Soriano in 2006 and Ronald Acuna, Jr. in 2023.

To date, only six players have recorded a 40-40 season (including Ohtani this year) and no player has logged more than one 40-40 campaign.

In his 1988 40-40 season Canseco had two multi-home run games and three multi-stolen base games. Canseco’s power numbers may have been dimmed a bit by the Oakland Coliseum (not considered a hitters’ park). Canseco hit .313-16-59, with 19 steals in 79 home games and .301-26-65, with 21 steals on the road.

Over his career, Canseco had three 40+ home run seasons, but just the one 40-stolen base campaign. Canseco played in 17 MLB seasons (1985-2001 … A’s, Rangers, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Rays, Yankees, White Sox). He was a six-time All Star, twice led the league in home runs (hitting 30 or more eight times) and led the league in RBI once (driving in 100+ in six seasons).   His career stat line is .266-462-1,407, with 1,186 runs scored and 200 steals. He was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1986, when he hit .240-33-117.

First 30-30 Season … Ken Williams, Browns, 1922

Browns’ outfielder Ken Williams was a MLB “unicorn” for more than three decades – from 1922 to 1956, he was the only player in MLB history to record a 30-home run/30-steal campaign. In 1922, Williams hit .332-39-155, with 37 steals and 128 runs scored for the Browns. The next player to run and hit his way into the 30-30 Club was William Mays in 1956.

In 1922, Williams set his career highs for runs; hits (198); home runs; RBI (155); steals; and total bases (367).  He led the AL in homers, RBI and total bases.

Unlike Canseco (above,  Williams had reasons to like “home cooking.” Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis was known as a hitters’ park (particularly for lefties – Williams hit from the port side). In his 30-30 season, Williams hit .373-32-102, with 18 steals at home and .290-7-56, with 18 steals on the road.  For his career, Williams hit .340 with 138 home runs in 589 games Sportsman’s Park and .304, with 58 long balls in 809 games at other MLB ballparks.

Williams played 14 MLB seasons (1915-16, 1918-29 … Reds, Browns, Red Sox), hitting .319-196-916, with 860 runs scored and 154 stolen bases. He had just one 30+-homer season and just one 30+-steal season. He hit .300 or better in ten seasons, drove in 100+ runs in four seasons and scored 100+ runs in three.

Ken Williams Tidbits 

In his 1922 30-30 season, Ken Williams became the first American Leaguer to hit three home runs in a game (April 22) and the first Modern Era player to hit 20 or more home runs in a season and have fewer strikeouts than homers. (37 homes/31 strikeouts). 

________________________________________________

To date, there have been 72 30-30 seasons (this includes the 40-40 and 50-50 campaigns), recorded by 47 different players.  Eleven of those seasons belong to the Bonds family (Bobby Bonds – six and Barry Bonds – five) … first- and second-most seasons of at least 30 homers and 30 steals.  This  season three players have already eclipsed the 30-30 mark: Ohtani;  the Guardians’ Jose Ramirez; and the Royals’ Bobby  Witt, Jr. The most players to reach the30-30 mark in any season is four (2023, 2011,1997,1996,1987.)   

__________________________________________

 

First 20-20 Season*

Okay, this one needs an asterisk.  Stolen bases first began being tracked in 1886. Prior to that season, there were four player seasons of twenty or more home runs (all in 1884): Cap Anson; Abner Dalrymple; Fred Pfeffer; and Ed Williamson.  All four of these players notched 20+ stolen base seasons once tracking began, so it is likely one of them may have turned in the first 20-20 season.  So, in this case we are looking at the first recorded 20-20 season.

Sam Thompson, Phillies, 1889

In 1899, Phillies’ RF Sam Thompson delivered the first recorded 20-20 season – going .296-20-111, with 116 runs scored and 24 steals. His 20 home runs led the NL.  It would be ten years before MLB’s next 20-20 season and from 1889 through 1950 there would be only nine player seasons of at least 20 home runs and at least 20 steals in MLB – five in the National League, two in the American League and two in the Negro National League.

Hall of Famer Thompson played in 15 MLB seasons (1885-1898 … Detroit Wolverines, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers).  He hit .331-126-1,308, with 1,261 runs scored and 232 steals. Thompson won one batting title, led the league in RBI three times (eight seasons of at least 100 RBI), led the league in hits three times (three seasons of 200+ hits); doubles twice; triples once and total bases twice. He had just one season of 20 home runs, but seven seasons of 20 or more steals.

 

 

Primary Resource: Baseball-Reference.com

 

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P1060

 

Welcome to another edition Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday, a weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances or statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. This week, we are looking at a trio of  players who were really on the move – one homered for teams in all of MLB’s divisions in a single season; one who  took the hill for five MLB teams in one campaign; and one (whose exploits have bee n most often chronicled) hit safely against two future Hall of Famers for two teams in two different cities in a single day.  There will also, as is often the case, be a mid-course diversion – the exploration of a unique link between Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw.  To see previous Tidbits, type Trivia(l) in the search box on the right hand side of this page.

A Travelin’ Man

On this date (September 17) in 1977, Dave Kingman started his first game in a Yankee uniform (at DH, batting sixth).  In the top of the third inning, in his second at bat as a Yankee, Kingman smacked a two-run home run to deep LF – which became an immediate Trivia(l) Tidbit.  You see, by this point in the 1977 season, Kingman had homered nine times as a New York Met; 11 times as a San Diego Padre; and twice as a California Angel.  Adding the Yankee long ball meant that, in the 1977 season, Kingman had homered for teams in each of MLB’s divisions (at the time, there were just four Divisions) for the Mets in the NL East; the Padres in the NL West; the Angels in the AL West; and the Yankees in the AL East. Kingman ended the season at .221-26-78.

Kingman played in 16 MLB seasons (1971-86 … Giants, Mets, Padres, Angels, Yankees, Cubs, A’s).  He hit .236-442-1,210 in 1,941 games. The three-time All Star had seven seasons of 30 or more home runs and twice lead his league in roundtrippers.  His best season was with the Cubs in 1979, when he hit .288, led the NL with 48 home runs and drove in 115.

Getting back to the 1977 season, here is chronical of Kingman’s travels.

In 1977, Kingman:

• began the season with the Mets;
• was traded to the Padres (for LHP Paul Siebert and INF/OF Bobby Valentine) on June 15;
• was selected (off waivers) by the Angels on September 6;
• was traded by the Angels (for RHP Randy Stein and cash) on September 15;
• was granted free agency November 2; and
• signed with the Cubs on November 30.

Bonus Tidbit – I Digress

Here’s one I came across that is of little consequence, but which I did find interesting. As September opened in 2007, Los Angeles’ fans were looking forward toward a September 7 matchup featuring Dodgers’ 42-year-old RHP Greg Maddux (with 354 wins and four Cy Young Awards under his belt) and Arizona’s 44-year-old southpaw Randy Johnson (with 294 wins and five CYA on his resume). It did not happen. Johnson was scratched due to a sore shoulder and Dodgers’ manager Joe Torre shifted his rotation – reportedly to put a left-hander on the mound against the Diamondbacks.

What attracted The Roundtable’s attention was the two rookie pitchers who replaced Johnson and Maddux: 23-year-old RHP Max Scherzer for the Diamondbacks and 20-year-old LHP Clayton Kershaw for the Dodgers. It was Scherzer’s thirteenth MLB appearance (third start) and Kershaw’s eighteenth (all starts). Scherzer was 0-2, 2.65 and Kershaw was 3-5, 4.50. As I write this, Scherzer and Kershaw have combined for 428 wins and six Cy Young Awards – and both stand a good chance of Joining Johnson and Maddux in the Hall of Fame.

For those who like to know such things:  In that September 7, 2007 game, Scherzer lasted five innings, giving up five hits and three runs, walking one and fanning 11; while Kershaw went four frames giving up three runs on six hits and one walk, while fanning four.  Neither got a decision as the Dodgers prevailed 5-3,

Back to Our Original Topic – A Suitcase Saga

In 2018, 32-year-old right-hander Oliver Drake set a major-league mark by playing for five MLB teams in a single season.

Drake began the season with the Brewers (where he finished the previous campaign).  After going 1-0, 6.39 in eleven appearances, he was designated for assignment on May 2 and, on May 5, purchased from the Brewers by the Indians.

He was with the Tribe until the final week in May – going 0-0, with a 12.46 ERA in just four appearances – before again being designated for assignment.

May 31, he was selected off waivers by the Angels. Sixteen days (and an 0-1, 10.13 record) later, he was again designated for assignment.  He went unclaimed and reported to the Angels’ Salt Lake City Triple-A affiliate – where he was pretty much lights out.  That earned him a trip back to Anaheim, where he added four more appearances, with an 0-0, 3.00 record – and was again designated for assignment.

He was picked up (off waivers) by the Blue Jays on July 26 and was there for just two appearances (giving up three runs in 1 2/3 innings) before again being designated for assignment.

On August 3, he was selected off waivers by the Twins – his fifth MLB team of the season – where he found a bit more success and stability. Drake finished the season with Minnesota, getting in 19 games and posting a 2.21 earned run average and fanning 22 batters in in 20 1/3 innings pitched. What did that get him?  In the off-season, he was again designated for assignment.

Drake finished the 2018 season with an 1-1 record, a 5.29 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 47 2/3 innings.  Drake pitched in six MLB seasons (2015-20 … Orioles, Brewers, Indians, Twins, Angels, Blue Jays, Rays). Over those six campaigns, he went 10-10, 4.27, with five saves in 196 appearances.

Need Someone to Face a Hall of Famer – Hold My Suitcase

On August 4, 1982, outfielder Joel Youngblood made MLB history by becoming the only player to collect a base hit for two different major league teams in two different cities – on the same day. This is a story often told, but what piqued my interest is that those hits came off two future Hall of Famers – Steve Carlton and Fergie Jenkins.

Youngblood started the day with the Mets, playing an afternoon game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Youngblood opened the game in center field, batting third in the order.  After striking out in the first inning, Youngblood drove in two runs with a single off Fergie Jenkins in the top of the third – breaking a 1-1 tie. (The Mets would sine 7-4.)

Youngblood was then replaced in centerfield by Mookie Wilson in the bottom of the fourth – told by Mets’ manager George Bamberger that he had been traded to the Expos (for a player to be named later), who were scheduled to play in Philadelphia that night.

Youngblood immediately set out to join his new team – catching a 6:05 flight to Philadelphia – eventually arriving at Veterans Stadium with the game in progress. To his surprise, there was an Expos uniform, with his name already sewn on the back, waiting for him.  And, the Expos wasted no time getting their newest player into the game. Manager Jim Fanning sent Youngblood into right field and the number-two spot in the batting order (replacing Jerry White) in the sixth inning. In the top of the seventh, Youngblood singled off Steve Carlton, in his first Expos’ at bat.

Two hits, for two different teams, two different cities, against tow future Hall of Famers in one day – an historic accomplishment.

Youngblood, by the way, was a true utility player, manning every position except pitcher over his 14-season MLB career (right field – 455 games; left field – 237; third base – 218; second base – 173; center field 107; first base – 7; shortstop – 3; catcher – 1). In 1,408 games, he hit .265, with 80 home runs, 422 RBI and 60 stolen bases.  He made one All Star team (in an injury-plagued and strike-shortened 1981 season, when he hit .350 in 43 games for the Mets).  His best season was 1983, when he hit .292, with 17 homers and 53 RBI in 124 games (at four positions) for the San Francisco Giants.

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com;  Baseball-Almanac.com; “D-backs’ Johnson Scratched From Start,” Washington Post, September 7, 2008.

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Time for another edition of Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances or statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. For longer “Tidbits,” I’ll direct you to the Baseball Roundtable blog. This one will be presented in its entirety here.  (Still trying to find out exactly why Facebook won’t allow a link to the blog in my FB posts.)

No being a big fan of the Designated Hitter, I was drawn to this tidbit – which I believe is one of those one-of-a-kind MLB “unicorns” I especially like. (I am still researching this, but I have yet to find another such instance.)

On September 12, 1969, The Mets swept a doubleheader in Pittsburgh – winning both games by a 1-0 score.  The trivia(l) bit of trivia that attracted me was that The Mets’ starting pitcher drove in the only run in each game.

Game One was started by Jerry Koosman, who threw a three-hit (three walks/four strikeouts) shutout. In the fifth inning, Koosman came to the plate against Pirates’ starter Bob Moose, with runners on first and third and one out, and punched an RBI single to right for the game’s only run. Notably, it was Koosman’s only RBI of the season (he hit 0.48 on the season, with just four singles in 84 at bats). Koosman’s win that day was his fourteenth of a season in which he would go 17-9, 2.28, with 16 complete games and six shutouts.  Koosman, by the way, was a lifetime (19 seasons … 1967-85 … Mets, Twins, White Sox, Phillies) .119 hitter. On the mound, he was 232-209, 3.36.

Game Two saw Don Cardwell starting for the Mets against the Pirates’ Dock Ellis. Cardwell got the win, pitching eight innings (four hits, no runs, one walk three strikeouts) – which brought his record to 7-9, 2.93 on the season.  He drove in the game’s only tally in the top of the second. A doubling Bud Harrelson was on second base with two outs and Cardwell singled to center off Ellis to bring Harrelson home. Cardwell was a better hitter than Koosman. In 1969, he went .170-1-5.  For his career (14 seasons … 1957-70 … Phillies, Cubs, Pirates, Mets, Braves), he was .135-15-53. Cardwell finished 1960 at 8-10, 3.01 with four complete games.

I Digress

Now, events in MLB yesterday, led me to another Tidbit. I know at times this post may be a bit like watching a series of unrelated slides. (Younger readers may not remember slides, but they were pretty popular. You also may not remember Pete Runnels, but he was pretty popular as well.)

Anyway, yesterday, as the Red Sox topped the Orioles 12-3 (in Boston), Boston’s RF Rob Refsnyder and DH Tyler O’Neill (hitting in the three- and four-holes) hit back-to-back homers in the third and eighth innings. Two players going deep back-to-back in the same games – not a Roundtable unicorn.  But what does qualify as a Roundtable unicorn was the day that the Mariners’ Brett Boone and Mike Cameron hit back-to-back home runs in the same inning.

On May 2, 2002, 2B Boone and CF Cameron were batting in the two- and three-holes in the Mariners’ lineup, as they faced off against the White Sox in Chicago. After Mariners’ RF Ichiro Suzuki was hit by a pitch (on the first pitch) to open the game, Boone took the very next pitch from White Sox’ starter Jon Rauch to deep RF for a two-run home run.  It took four pitches, but Cameron followed up with a solo home run.  Six runs and two outs later, Boone came up again and delivered another two-run home run (this time off Jim Parque) and Cameron followed with a solo shot to center.  Back-to-back twice in the same inning – an unexpected MLB first and still only.  Cameron, by the way, went on to hit an MLB single-game, record- tying four home runs in the contest – won by the Mariners 15-4.

Now back to our originally schedule programming – pitchers-hitting tidbits.  Here are three that are well known, but deserve another mention here:

• On June 23, 1971, Rick Wise became the first – and still only – pitcher to hit two home runs in a game in which he also pitched a no-hitter. Wise walked one and fanned three in the no-no – and homered in the fifth (a two-run shot off Ross Grimsley) and eighth (a solo homer off Clay Carroll) driving in three of the Phillies’ four runs. Wise pitched in 18 MLB seasons (1964, 1966-82 … Phillies, Cardinals, Red Sox, Indians, Padres), going 188-181. 3.69. He won 15 or more games in six campaigns. As a hitter, he went .195-15-66 in 668 at bats).
• On May 8, 1968, the A’s Jim “Catfish” Hunter pitched a perfect game – beating the Twins 4-0 in Oakland. He also became the first, and still only, pitcher, to collect three hits in a game in which he pitched a “perfecto.” Like Wise (above), Hunter drove in three of the A’s four runs. Hunter doubled in the third (off Dave Boswell); flied out in the fifth (Boswell); broke up a scoreless tie with an RBI bunt single (Boswell) in the seventh; and hit a two-run single in the eighth.  Hall of Famer Hunter went 224-166, 3.26 in 15 MLB seasons (1965-79 … A’s, Yankees). He was a eight-time All Star and won 20 or more games in five consecutive seasons (1971-75). As a hitter, he went .226-6-51 in 658 at bats.  Note: Originally, had this date as May 6, a reader (Kenneth J.)  caught the faux pax. Thanks for the fine  catch and Mea Culpa! 
• Finally, one I really like (and have written about perhaps too often). The first National League player (any position) to hit two Grand Slam home runs in a game was Braves’ pitcher Tony Cloninger. On July 3, 1966, Cloninger went three-for-nine with two Grand Slams and nine RBI as the Braves beat the Giants 17-3 in San Francisco. That season, Cloninger went .234-5-23 at the plate (111 at bats) and 13-11, 4.12 on the mound.  For more on Cloninger’s unique career – he went from an MLB pitcher to an All-World  slow-pitch softball third baseman, click here.

Primary Resource:  Baseball-Reference.com

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Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday was moved down the lineup to Wednesday this week due to the combined impact of the Labor Day Weekend, the publication of the lengthy Baseball Roundtable August Wrap Up and my ongoing recovery from COVID. I hope readers are enjoying this  weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances or statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. For longer “Tidbits,”   To take a look at previous Trivia(l) Tidbits, just type Trivia(l) into the search box on  the right hand side of the page.

Yesterday, The Brewers Willy Adames celebrated his 29^th birthday by hitting his 29^th homer of the season. It was also his lucky 13^th three-run home of the season – tying him with Ken Griffey, Jr. for the most three-run blasts in a single season.  Well, that got me thinking about Grand Slam home runs (can’t explain why, that’s just how my mind travels).

My first trivial thought went to in 1987, when Yankee 1B Don Mattingly set the single-season record for Grand Slams (since tied) at six. The Tidbit?  Despite a 14-season career that included 163 bases-loaded plate appearances, Mattingly did not hit another Grand Slam before or after those record-setting six.

Still, that did not seem “out there” enough for this feature.  So, I was drawn to 1961, when – with Yankee sluggers Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris dominating headlines in their chase of Babe Ruth’s record 60 home runs in a season – Jim Gentile of the Orioles quietly put up quite a season of his own. Gentile hit .302, with 46 home runs and a league-topping 141 RBI.  He also tied the MLB record and set a new AL mark (both since broken) for Grand Slams in a season with five bases-loaded long balls.

The Trivia(l) Tidbit? Orioles’ right-handed starter Chuck Estrada was the sole beneficiary of Gentile’s 1961 offensive outburst – every one of Gentile’s record-tying five four-run blasts was hit in a game started by Estrada. Further, Gentile hit only one other Grand Slam in his career (June 26, 1960) and – you guessed it – the starting and winning pitcher in that contest was Chuck Estrada.

For those of you who like a little more – Don’t baseball fans always want that next fact or stat? – here’s some background. Gentile was in the majors with the Dodgers (1957-58), Orioles (1960-63), A’s (1964-65), Astros (1965-66) and Indians (1966). In nine MLB campaigns, he was an All Star in three seasons (1960-61-62) and 1961 was his best year. His career stat line was .260-179-549.

Estrada’s best season was his rookie year (1960) with the Orioles, when the 22-year-old led the AL with 18 wins (11 losses and a 3.58 ERA). He finished second in the AL rookie of the Year balloting to his Orioles’ teammate, shortstop Ron Hansen, who hit .255, with 22 home runs and 86 RBI.  Estrada was an All Star in just one season – his rookie campaign – in a career that saw him win 50 and lose 44, with a 4.04 ERA. He pitched for the Orioles (1960-64), Cubs (1966) and Mets (1967).

Primary Resource: Baseball-Reference.com.

 

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Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs.  To see the full list, click here.

Baseball Roundtable is also on the Anytime Baseball Supply Top 66 Baseball Sites list.  For the full list, click here. 

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